If you or someone you know doesn't know how to ride a bicycle...we can help! If you can ride, but don't feel comfortable on roads, we can help with that too.
June 2011 graduation at Spy Pond
The Bicycle Riding School teaches people, 5 years old and older, to ride bicycles, including adults who never learned as children. If you can already ride, we can help you to ride more safely in traffic. You can get an idea of what it means to people from the letters and press coverage we've gotten.
For really young kids or people far away from Boston, see the instructions on this site or watch this video draft.
We organize group and individual lessons.
All classes meet at 14 William Street, near Davis Square, in Somerville, Massachusetts, unless otherwise indicated.
We work in various locations close to our Somerville headquarters but we always start here, unless clearly stated otherwise.
The four teachers at the school are Susan McLucas, Pata Suyemoto, David Goehring and Jenny Norcott. Susan has been teaching riding since the mid-80's. Pata has taught with us since 2007 and teaches our road riding and long-distance riding lessons as well as beginners. David has taught since 2016 and teaches both beginners and road riders. Jenny has been teaching with us since early 2017.
We teach beginners to ride and organize alumni rides for adult graduates, we teach people who can ride to be safe on the streets and we teach bike repair.
We occasionally share our experiences as teachers in the Bicycle Riding School Diary.
(Please do not bring bottled water to the bike school. We have lots of water bottles and we bring water and, if you want, we can get you filtered water. Otherwise, we use Somerville's high quality tap water. Bottled water is pulled from reservoirs where local people often lack drinking water and the plastic bottles are a major source of pollution.)
You need to fill out this form to sign up. |
Dorothy and Adama, 2018
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Pricing for Beginning Classes & Lessons
Group lessons cost $40 each time, if you can afford that, with a sliding scale going down to $10 a lesson, if you're really struggling, financially.
Individual lessons cost $80, if you can afford that, down to $30 a lesson, if you need to pay less. Semi-private lessons, of just 2 people, are $50-$20 each.
All lessons are an hour and a half, except adult graduation classes, which are two and a half hours.
Individual lessons cost $80, if you can afford that, down to $30 a lesson, if you need to pay less. Semi-private lessons, of just 2 people, are $50-$20 each.
All lessons are an hour and a half, except adult graduation classes, which are two and a half hours.
Most people pay at the end of each class. If you'd like to pay ahead online, payments are accepted below:
(in the details section, please include name of rider/class)
OR, if you have a lesson with Jenny, David, or Pata, they accept Venmo and it's easier.
(in the details section, please include name of rider/class)
OR, if you have a lesson with Jenny, David, or Pata, they accept Venmo and it's easier.
Beginning Adult Classes (stand alone sessions, kids, street riding and inter-generational classes below)
These are a series of classes that you attend with mostly the same group of people.
It's getting cold. We don't have scheduled classes any m ore this year, but we're happy to schedule private lessons. If you can take it, we can take it.
If you'd prefer to take classes one by one, instead of in a series, see below (Stand alone sessions.)
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Our regular adult classes are set up to follow a 4 session curriculum with this progression:
Lesson 1: Learn to Balance (in open space)
Lesson 2: Skills Practice (in open space)
Lesson 3: Bike Path & Skills Practice (on bike path)
Lesson 4: Graduation, long ride & picnic! (on bike path)
We find that often people may need more than 2 open space sessions before they are ready for the path - that is totally fine! In this case, we try to schedule them to drop into some additional lessons either with another class, a private lesson or a Stand alone OPEN SPACE class (see below.)
It's getting cold. We don't have scheduled classes any m ore this year, but we're happy to schedule private lessons. If you can take it, we can take it.
If you'd prefer to take classes one by one, instead of in a series, see below (Stand alone sessions.)
___________________________________________
Our regular adult classes are set up to follow a 4 session curriculum with this progression:
Lesson 1: Learn to Balance (in open space)
Lesson 2: Skills Practice (in open space)
Lesson 3: Bike Path & Skills Practice (on bike path)
Lesson 4: Graduation, long ride & picnic! (on bike path)
We find that often people may need more than 2 open space sessions before they are ready for the path - that is totally fine! In this case, we try to schedule them to drop into some additional lessons either with another class, a private lesson or a Stand alone OPEN SPACE class (see below.)
Stand alone adult sessions:
These are one-time lessons. Registration is required.
Stand alone OPEN SPACE classes, mostly with Susan (mostly Saturdays at noon):
Let Susan know if you're interested.
Stand alone PATH classes, mostly with Susan (mostly Sundays at noon):
Let Susan know if you're interested.
These Stand-alone open space and path classes, with no expectation about how many of each kind a student will take, are an experiment to see how this system works, since so many people need more than 2 classes in the open space before going to the path. They also provide a way to get a taste of what it's like here, to help you decide if you want to sign up for a more extended session. Sign up for each week, independently, since there is only space for 5 people in a class. We will set up more such sessions, if this system works out.
Stand alone OPEN SPACE classes, mostly with Susan (mostly Saturdays at noon):
Let Susan know if you're interested.
Stand alone PATH classes, mostly with Susan (mostly Sundays at noon):
Let Susan know if you're interested.
These Stand-alone open space and path classes, with no expectation about how many of each kind a student will take, are an experiment to see how this system works, since so many people need more than 2 classes in the open space before going to the path. They also provide a way to get a taste of what it's like here, to help you decide if you want to sign up for a more extended session. Sign up for each week, independently, since there is only space for 5 people in a class. We will set up more such sessions, if this system works out.
Beginning Kids Classes for kids (5 years old and up)
Kids class graduation, Oct 2017
We're done with scheduled classes for the year, but we're happy to set up private or semi-private lessons with you. It's getting cold but if you can take it, we can take it.
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Our Kids classes stay in open spaces. We teach kids how to balance, pedal, start, stop and direct the bike. We simulate a path and practice going sort of straight, but we don't take kids on a path. We let parents do that, when they think it's time.
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Our Kids classes stay in open spaces. We teach kids how to balance, pedal, start, stop and direct the bike. We simulate a path and practice going sort of straight, but we don't take kids on a path. We let parents do that, when they think it's time.
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Our Teachers
Susan McLucas, Pata Suyemoto, Jenny Norcott, David Goehring
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Watch a documentary short film about Susan McLucas and the School.
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Rain, Snow or Cold Policy
We let our students decide whether they think it's too rainy, snowy or cold. Sometimes, if people are into it, we hold classes in the rain or snow, or when it's really cold. Just let us know if it's too rainy, snowy or cold for you.
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Directions to the School
The school is located at 14 William St. in Somerville, MA, USA.
VIEW MAP HERE
It's the 4th left off College Ave. coming from Davis Sq. (or the 3rd right coming from Powderhouse Sq.).
Come to the side door of the house, near the big red barn.
What's a beginner's class like?
Adult classes have up to 5 people in them, and consist of 4 classes. At the first class we choose bikes for people and walk or take the bikes in cars over to the place where we work, different places different times. We take the pedals off and people get their balance by rolling down the gentle hill.
When they have their balance, usually some time during that first or second class, we put the pedals on and they learn to pedal. Everyone goes at their own pace. If people are really struggling, we offer the option of switching to private lessons. By the third class, we usually go to the bike path, Linear Park, which connects to the Minuteman Bike Path. Often some people come in, in between classes, to get ready for the bike path on the third class. |
(photo by Jason Bean, 2006)
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The fourth class is graduation day. We go farther on the path, usually to Spy Pond but sometimes to Alewife, where we have a picnic and enjoy the fact that everyone learned to ride. Diplomas are given out and pictures are taken. The last class usually lasts about two and a half hours.
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Kids classes have up to 3 people in them and consist of 3 classes. Not everyone needs 3 classes and it is all right to tell the teacher and not come to all the classes, if your kid is good to go before the 3rd class. Some kids need more than 3. For kids who are really struggling, we offer the option of switching to private lessons. If parents like the idea, they can help out by pushing their kid around, while the kid gets their balance and the teacher is pushing other kids around. If not, it works to roll down the hill and walk back up, though kids often find this more tedious than grown-ups do, so pushing works nicely. The teacher will supervise, to be sure the parent isn't pushing too fast or too slowly, or trying to hold the kid up.
We have helmets, knee and elbow pads, gloves and a time-tested method which allows most people to learn without ever falling at all. We have more than 20 bicycles, so that people can find something that fits them. All our bikes have padded pedals, so that, when they hit you in the legs, they won't hurt. We also sell padded pedals (for $30.)
We have helmets, knee and elbow pads, gloves and a time-tested method which allows most people to learn without ever falling at all. We have more than 20 bicycles, so that people can find something that fits them. All our bikes have padded pedals, so that, when they hit you in the legs, they won't hurt. We also sell padded pedals (for $30.)
You will start out on a bicycle that might seem too small for you. You will be able to reach the ground flat-footed, while sitting on the seat.
If you start to fall, you will simply put your foot down and catch yourself.
We will start out really slow. If you're not going fast, any problem that comes up will be much more manageable.
Classes and Lessons
June 2010 Cambridge Center class
Beginners:
For people who never learned to ride as children, or who are still children, and for people who can barely ride…
Susan McLucas is the teacher for the group classes for beginners. She and Pata Suyemoto both give individual lessons for beginners.
If you have questions or to register for beginners' classes or lessons, contact Susan at (617) 776-6524 or SusanBMcL @ gmail.com.
Street Riding:
For people who already ride a bike, but are nervous riding on roads, we also teach negotiating traffic to individuals and small group classes.
Pata Suyemoto does most of the street riding teaching. She is a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) with the League of American Bicyclists. Pata, is back from her cross-country trip. She rode 3,800 miles out to Washington. See her blog http://www.thepolkadotjournal.blogspot.com for a report on her last few months. She is now available to do road riding lessons and will happily help people get comfortable in traffic.
To sign up for the Street Riding class, or with questions, contact Pata at kotoridesigns @ gmail.com or (617) 549-3087.
Out-of-town?
If you're out of town and want to learn to ride, try our Teach Yourself/Other Teachers page first and see if anyone teaches beginners close to you or if you can figure it out from the instructions given. If not, come to Boston; we'll send you a list of places to stay. Lots of people have made the trip and they're always delighted. One guy came from Brazil to learn to ride! With a couple of lessons each day, in three or three days (4 max), you'll be up and riding.
Alternatively, try to find some other people in your area that also want to learn to ride and see about bringing Susan or another of our teachers to your town. Contact Susan for more details, SusanBMcL @ gmail.com or (617) 776-6524. She'd love to travel to warm places during the winter and teach people to ride there. We can work out logistics like bikes and the place and she can bring the pads and helmets.
For people who never learned to ride as children, or who are still children, and for people who can barely ride…
Susan McLucas is the teacher for the group classes for beginners. She and Pata Suyemoto both give individual lessons for beginners.
If you have questions or to register for beginners' classes or lessons, contact Susan at (617) 776-6524 or SusanBMcL @ gmail.com.
Street Riding:
For people who already ride a bike, but are nervous riding on roads, we also teach negotiating traffic to individuals and small group classes.
Pata Suyemoto does most of the street riding teaching. She is a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) with the League of American Bicyclists. Pata, is back from her cross-country trip. She rode 3,800 miles out to Washington. See her blog http://www.thepolkadotjournal.blogspot.com for a report on her last few months. She is now available to do road riding lessons and will happily help people get comfortable in traffic.
To sign up for the Street Riding class, or with questions, contact Pata at kotoridesigns @ gmail.com or (617) 549-3087.
Out-of-town?
If you're out of town and want to learn to ride, try our Teach Yourself/Other Teachers page first and see if anyone teaches beginners close to you or if you can figure it out from the instructions given. If not, come to Boston; we'll send you a list of places to stay. Lots of people have made the trip and they're always delighted. One guy came from Brazil to learn to ride! With a couple of lessons each day, in three or three days (4 max), you'll be up and riding.
Alternatively, try to find some other people in your area that also want to learn to ride and see about bringing Susan or another of our teachers to your town. Contact Susan for more details, SusanBMcL @ gmail.com or (617) 776-6524. She'd love to travel to warm places during the winter and teach people to ride there. We can work out logistics like bikes and the place and she can bring the pads and helmets.
In the last 30 years, we have taught about 4,000 people with only a handful people who weren't able to make it work. Virtually everyone who puts their mind to it, and gives it the time it needs, can learn to ride a bicycle. One of our students has only one leg and did very well. Our oldest students are in their 80's, our youngest was three.
"It was so amazingly liberating to be biking along the path with the wind in my face. Now I know why so many people bike - because it's fun! Thank you so much for offering this class and for nurturing such a warm and encouraging atmosphere!"
Read more Student Stories.
"It was so amazingly liberating to be biking along the path with the wind in my face. Now I know why so many people bike - because it's fun! Thank you so much for offering this class and for nurturing such a warm and encouraging atmosphere!"
Read more Student Stories.
April 2012 graduation at Spy Pond
Everyone has their own reasons for not riding sooner in life (except our very young students), but everyone is glad to get past whatever it was that had been holding them back from riding.
If you don't ride a bike, why wait? If a friend of yours doesn't ride, you can get them a gift certificate or just have them call us.
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